A Barn with Cattle and Trees

Anthonie van Borssom was far less productive as a painter than as a draughtsman. Many of his drawings were influenced by Rembrandt’s landscape etchings of the 1640s. Van Borssum’s compositions always follow the particular formula used in this drawing: water in the foreground; a farm, windmill or barn among trees in the middleground; and a low skyline in the background. The artist’s practice of applying watercolour to his drawings made them popular with collectors.